Cynthia Gifford Allen

Bonita Springs, FL - Cynthia Gifford Allen, of Bonita Springs, Florida and a summer resident of Newport, RI died Saturday, December 17, 2005 at Grand Islander Health Care Center Middletown, RI. She was the wife of Dr. N. Dwight Allen. Born in Providence, RI, Mrs. Allen was the daughter of the late Guy Harold Gifford and the late Marion Hawes Gifford. She was a descendent of General Nathaniel Greene, one of George Washington?s most trusted Revolutionary War officers.Cynthia?s family moved to New Rochelle, NY early in her life. She attended Syracuse University receiving a bachelors degree, majoring in art and science. Following her graduation, she worked in New York City as an illustrator, layout artist, and graphics designer with Amos Parrish, Sweets Catalogues and, later as a chartist/designer with Time, Inc.Mrs. Allen married Dr. N. Dwight Allen and moved to Greenwich, Ct where they lived for over 30 years. They had one son, Douglas, who exhibited his mother?s love of art and eventually graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, as had his grandmother. They moved to Newport, RI following Dr. Allen?s retirement and Cynthia enrolled in the graduate program at RISD, receiving her MAE degree in painting. Her work has been shown in many art galleries and museums, principally in Florida, Washington DC, New York and the New England area. Through out her life she supported the arts and was a member of many organizations inlcuding the Art League of Bonita Springs, the Newport Art Museum, and the New Rochelle Art Society. She was also a charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. Her other major interest was her university sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, where she was a life member.She is survived by her husband Dr. N. Dwight Allen of Bonita Springs, FL, a son Douglas Gifford Allen and daughter in law Sarah Neil Allen and two grandchildren Isabel Grace Allen and Clayton Neil Allen all of Valley Cottage, NY.She was preceded in death by her sister Elizabeth Gifford Martin, then a resident of Bradenton, Florida.Her funeral will be held Wednesday December 21, 2005, at 11:00am in Hambly Funeral Home ?Brick House? 30 Red Cross Ave Newport, RI. Burial will be in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, from 4-6pm in the Hambly Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers may be made in her memory to the Office of Giving Programs, Syracuse University, 820 Comstock Avenue, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13244-5040.